Articles by Andrew DeCanniere

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to speak with the author of one of my all-time favorite series, Julia Dahl, regarding her third novel, Conviction (Minotaur Books, 2017), which comes out on March 28th, and which I have been looking...

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to once again speak with Mark Dunning, Chair of the Usher Syndrome Coalition. For those of you who may be unfamiliar, it is — as I wrote in my introduction to my 2015 interview with Mark — a wonderful...

Late last month, I received an e-mail about an upcoming event called Chicago Writers Resist, intended to serve as a “re-inauguration of our shared commitment to the spirit of compassion, equality, free speech, and the fundamental ideals of...

Late last month, I first learned of Trace Elements an upcoming exhibition at Miishkooki Art Space, a new art gallery and studio that opened in Skokie last summer featuring the artwork of Ellen Hanson and Caroline Liu. Last week, I finally had the...

Not long ago, I stumbled upon what has to be one of this fall’s best — and most engaging — reads, Jason Diamond’s memoir Searching for John Hughes (out on November 29th from HarperCollins/William Morrow). Earlier this month, I had the...

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Chicago native John Maloof regarding his new gallery and studio, Miishkooki Art Space, which opened in Skokie late this summer, just east of the community’s downtown core. Read on to see what...

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak with composer Parisa Sabet, the winner of the Sharing Notes Ear Taxi Composition Competition. Read on to learn more about Parisa, what drew her to the competition and the...

Earlier this year, while browsing through a local bookstore, I stumbled upon what has to be one of the most interesting, relatable and well written reads of the summer, Trying to Float: Coming of Age in the Chelsea Hotel (Scribner, 2016)...

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Jeanne Nolan who is the Founder and President of The Organic Gardener Ltd., based in Highland Park, Illinois, and the author of From the Ground Up, regarding her partnership with AMLI Residential...

Recently, I stumbled upon Clara Bensen’s well-written, engaging memoir, No Baggage: A Minimalist Tale of Love & Wandering (Running Press, 2016), in which she chronicles the 21-day trip that she and her boyfriend, Jeff — who she had just...

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to chat — via e-mail — with Markus Reuter, who is in town with the Stick Men for two performances at Reggie’s (2105 S. State Street in Chicago). Read on to learn more about Markus, their new album "Midori"

Of all the books that I have read lately, one of the most undeniably interesting, engaging and eye-opening has to be Kayt Sukel’s most recent book, "The Art of Risk" (National Geographic, 2016). In it, she takes a closer look at just what risk...

It may be hard to believe, but it’s that time of year again — Independent Bookstore Day is almost here. This year I had the opportunity to ask a few of my favorite authors about some of their favorite books and independent bookstores...

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with chef and co-founder of Food Policy Action, Tom Colicchio, regarding the Senate’s new version of the DARK Act, which aims to prevent the transparency in labeling of food that contains Genetically...

In the summer of 2012, I had the privilege of interviewing Crystal Grover (now Crystal Hodges) and Linsey Burritt (now Linsey Rosen), the extraordinarily talented duo behind INDO, a company that was located in Chicago’s West Loop that created...

This weekend, I had the opportunity to see a play that has been on my radar since Northlight Theatre announced their 2015-2016 season, Mothers & Sons, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Steve Scott. The play is centered around Katharine...

A little while ago, I came across Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel, Maybe in Another Life (Washington Square Press, 2015). The book is centered around 29-year-old, cinnamon roll loving Hannah Martin, who after graduating college has...

This coming Saturday, November 21st, will mark the fourth Chicago Book Expo, which will take place from 11 AM until 5 PM at Columbia College Chicago (1104 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago). The Expo first got its start in 2011, as a way to highlight...

A little over a week ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Jami Attenberg, author, most recently, of Saint Mazie (Grand Central Publishing, 2015, which is centered around Mazie Phillips-Gordon (a.k.a. “The Queen of the Bowery”), who devoted...

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Mark Dunning, Chairman of the Usher Syndrome Coalition, an amazing organization dedicated to connecting with and providing support and information to those who have been diagnosed with Usher syndrome...

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with Sonya Lea, author of the outstanding recently published memoir Wondering Who You Are (Tin House Books, 2015). In it, she recounts her family’s journey in dealing with the aftermath of...

Last month, I stumbled upon Julia Pierpont’s outstanding debut novel Among the Ten Thousand Things (Random House, 2015). The book is centered around the Shanleys and what happens when their children, eleven-year-old Kay and...

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with local author Rebecca Makkai regarding her wonderful new short story collection, Music for Wartime (Viking, 2015), Read on to see what she had to say about how the collection of short stories...

Ever since I read Julia Dahl’s debut novel, Invisible City (Minotaur Books, 2014), last year and learned that there would be more books in the series, I’ve been eagerly awaiting Run You Down (Minotaur Books, 2015). The book, which takes place...

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see Shining Lives: A Musical (book and lyrics by Jessica Thebus, music by Andre Pluess and Amanda Dehnert, based upon the play These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich) at Northlight Theatre in Skokie...

With Independent Bookstore Day fast approaching, I recently had the opportunity to speak with a number of owners of local independent bookstores — some of which have been a part of their community for many years, and others which are...

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to speak with Cindy Elden, Co-Founder of the Usher III Initiative, which I first learned of from Rebecca Alexander who chronicles her own experience with the condition in her wonderful, recently published...

Ever since I learned of the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance from Susannah Cahalan, who recalls her own harrowing 2009 battle with a then little-known condition called “Anti-NMDA receptor autoimmune encephalitis” in her 2012 book Brain on Fire...

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Megan Mayhew Bergman, author of the intriguing new short story collection, Almost Famous Women (Scribner, 2015). In her new book, she imagines the stories of all-too-little-known women...

Last week, an e-mail from Allegra Montanari, Founder & Director of the Chicago-based Sharing Notes, landed in my inbox, telling me of another wonderful local organization, Harmony 4 Hope, and their upcoming “Play This Forward” initiative...

Last week I had a chance to see The Mousetrap, a classic Agatha Christie play, directed by Jonathan Berry at Northlight Theatre (9501 Skokie Blvd.) in Skokie. The play, which is set in 1952 at Monkswell Manor in East Midlands, England...

Of all the books that I have read this year, one that stands out from the crowd — and one that will stay with me for a long time to come — is Rebecca Alexander’s brilliantly written, undeniably important, and thoroughly inspiring memoir...

This weekend I had the chance to see a play that I have been anticipating since the 2014-2015 season was announced, The Commons of Pensacola, written by Amanda Peet and directed by Robin Witt, at Northlight Theatre in Skokie. The play is centered...

Recently, while at my local bookstore, I stumbled upon Kim Stolz’s Unfriending My Ex (Scribner, 2014) -- a particularly relevant read given our hyper-connected, social media-centric times. Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Stolz...

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with Molly Antopol, author of The UnAmericans (W.W. Norton, 2014), a smart, engaging, well-written and wide-ranging collection of short stories — a collection that, if you’re anything like me, will have...

Last week, during the Printers Row Lit Fest, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Rebecca Makkai, author of The Borrower (Viking, 2011), about her forthcoming novel The Hundred-Year House (Viking, 2014) which is set on Chicago’s...

Earlier this week I finally had the opportunity to see a play that I have long been anticipating, Ask Aunt Susan, written by Seth Bockley and directed by Henry Wishcamper at the Goodman Theatre in Downtown Chicago. The play, which is based upon...

Though I don’t ordinarily gravitate toward murder mysteries, from the moment I picked up Julia Dahl’s debut novel, Invisible City (Minotaur Books, 2014), I was hooked. The novel, which centers around a murder in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish...

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Alena Graedon, author of The Word Exchange (Doubleday, 2014), one of my favorite books of 2014. The book is set in a future where books have been replaced by digital devices known as Memes, through...

Last week, I finally had the opportunity to speak with Jeanne Nolan, founder of Glencoe-based “The Organic Gardener” about the Organic Garden at Westfield Old Orchard shopping center in Skokie, Illinois. Read on to see what she had to say...

Last week, shortly after Ghost Bike wrapped up it’s World Premiere at Buzz 22 Chicago, I had the opportunity to speak with Chicago-based playwright Laura Jacqmin. Read on to see what she had to say about her influences, writing for the stage...

This weekend I had the opportunity to see Chapatti (written by Christian O’Reilly, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones, and co-produced by the Galway Arts Festival) at Northlight Theatre. The play, a meditation on the importance of human...

My first read of the year was Hell-Bent (St. Martin’s Press, 2012) by Benjamin Lorr. The book, which was just released as a paperback, offers an informative, eye-opening and engaging look into the world of Bikram Yoga, as the author dives in...

Recently, while on Twitter, I stumbled upon Sharing Notes, a wonderful organization based in Chicago that brings together musicians who want to give of their time and talent to perform for patients at local hospitals...

When I turned on the TV on Friday, December 13th, I was absolutely blindsided, horrified to learn of yet another school shooting, this time at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, CO. When I learned that a student there, 17-year-old Claire Davis...

Every so often, if you’re really lucky, you’ll come across a book that grabs you as soon as you pick it up, leaves you wanting to recommend it to every fellow reader you know, and stays with you long after the story has ended...

From the time I heard about Grant Lawrence’s second book, The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie,” I had been eagerly anticipating it’s release, and this summer I finally had the opportunity to read it. Last week...

Earlier this summer, while browsing the web, I stumbled upon a new theatre company, Living Room Playmakers. Intrigued by the company’s work and their choice of venues in particular, I wanted to know more. A couple of weeks ago

Last Friday, I saw a play that I’ve been eagerly anticipating all summer, 4000 Miles, written by Amy Herzog and directed by Kimberly Senior, at Northlight Theatre. The play is centered around a twenty-something named Leo Joseph-Connell (Josh Salt)

Last week I finally had the chance to see a play that I’ve been anticipating from the time I first heard about it last year, Belleville (written by Amy Herzog and directed by Anne Kauffman), which also is easily the single best production...

In late April, I learned of the City of Chicago’s plans to launch a new bike share program called Divvy. Aware of how this kind of system has already taken off in other major cities around the world, I was eager to learn more...

Recently I had the opportunity to see a play that I’ve been anticipating for some time now, Stella & Lou (written by Bruce Graham and directed by BJ Jones) at Northlight Theatre, located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts...

Last week I had a chance to see another play that has been on my radar for some time now, Stones in His Pockets (by Marie Jones; directed by J.R. Sullivan). The story is centered around a former video rental store owner, Charlie...

Earlier last month I found out about the City of Chicago's "Chicago Green Office Challenge," designed to engage the City of Chicago's business community and encourage them to consider what they could do to operate in a more environmentally conscious

Late last year, I came across what is, in my opinion, one of the most important books of 2012, Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan (Free Press, 2012). In it, the New York Post reporter chronicles her harrowing battle with a rare...

Last week I finally had the chance to see a play I’ve been anticipating since last summer, when I was first made aware that Other Desert Cities (written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by Henry Wishcamper) would be a part of the Goodman Theatre's

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with Crystal Grover and Linsey Burritt, the design duo behind Indo, a company in Chicago’s West Loop that creates window displays and installations out of reclaimed materials. Read on to learn more

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to stroll through the newest addition to Westfield Old Orchard, the French Market, operated by Bensidoun USA, located between the north entrance of Macy’s and the Old Orchard Professional Building

If you are looking for a great place to grab a bite to eat, complete with warm atmosphere and eco-conscious practices, look no further than Uncommon Ground, with it’s two Chicago locations: 1401 W. Devon Avenue (Edgewater) and 3800 N. Clark St. ...

Just in time for the holiday season comes Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s "Season’s Greetings" at Northlight Theatre, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones. Though the play, centered around an English family’s Christmas get together...

If you knew me, then you'd probably know that while I have an interest in film, somehow none of what I've watched thus far (with the exception of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) has been based on a comic book. And, while I love to read...

At the center of Chinglish (written by David Henry Hwang and directed by Leigh Silverman), currently running at the Goodman Theatre is Midwestern businessman Daniel Cavanaugh (James Waterston), who sets off to China, hoping to save his family's...

In The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, Holocaust survivor Lilith Fisher (Marilyn Dodds Frank) is haunted by her past -- or, more accurately, ghosts from her past, those of her then-boyfriend Ben Ari Adler (Chance Bone) and her younger self (Nora Fiffer).

We all hear about climate change on a seemingly daily basis, but just how can climate change really impact us? How did these environmental crises come to be? Is there anything we can and should be doing to assure a sustainable future?

In Sarah Ruhl’s latest play, Stage Kiss, two ex-lovers are thrust together after not having seen each other for two decades, when they both audition for -- and get a starring role in -- a
long-forgotten 1930s melodrama, The Last Kiss.

As many of you already know, not only was April 22nd Earth Day, but the entire month is Earth Month, the perfect time to take a moment and really think about the impact that we all have on the planet we all share -- and that we all rely on...

From the time I first heard about Annie Baker’s "Circle Mirror Transformation" when it premiered in New York City, I have been eagerly awaiting it’s Chicago arrival. This past week I had the chance to see the Chicago premiere

Following an article I wrote about davidsuzuki.org, the official website of The David Suzuki Foundation, I had the chance to pose questions to Ian Hanington, the foundation's Communications & Editorial Specialist

With all of the information (and, unfortunately, some misinformation)out there regarding climate change, which is arguably one of the more serious issues we currently face, how can one to find information that is certain to be reliable?